Roberts instructs Order of the Golden Brush

January 29, 2014

Guest artist Joan Roberts conducted her annual class for the Order of the Golden Brush recently at the St. James City Civic Association.

Roberts, a renowned Woodstock artist who is listed in Who's Who in American Art and attended the Art Institute of Chicago, shared her talents with 2025 women at the center.

"I really love being with the ladies," Roberts said. "They are so much fun and they really do a nice job. It's just fun to watch them work."

The day's class project was to paint a bird of paradise flower. The flower is found in sunny warm climates such as Florida.

Melissa Meyers has been on the island for 13 years and painted for about five.

"I've been coming to these classes for about five years," she said. "I just wanted something to do and never had the time to explore painting before and my husband was very supportive and said 'go for it.' I actually do a lot of mural painting and this just offered an opportunity to paint other things."

The class ran from 14 p.m. and by 3 p.m. many of the paintings were nearly complete. Roberts placed each student's painting on an easel at the front of the room so all students could offer suggestions.

Comments from the students ranged from, "I think it needs more yellow," to "very dynamic and exciting."

Roberts was gentle in her comments suggesting ways each painting might be improved. After reviewing each painting the students went back to work.

"We don't usually finish the painting in a day," Meyers said. "I usually keep going back until I just know it's finished."

For additional information or to sign up for the workshop, please contact Linda Selleck at 239-283-5207.